Rugby:Ireland Under-20 outhalf JJ Hanrahan has lost out to South Africa's Jan Serfontein, the latter named as the IRB Junior Player of the Year 2012 following a thrilling Junior World Championship final at Newlands against New Zealand, which saw the home side crowned champions for the first time.

Serfontein is the first South African to win the Award. The 19-year-old just edged out Kerryman, Hanrahan and another South African Shaun Adendorff to win the prestigious accolade following a comprehensive voting system which included the views of team managers, match officials and media at the tournament.

For the first time, the public also had a chance to vote on the shortlist. Kerryman, Hanrahan was a central figure in Ireland’s excellent tournament and scored all 18 points in their victory over France yesterday to take his tally to the tournament to 53.