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As it happened: England v Baby Boks
Pollard is the second South African to win the Award after Jan Serfontein, his team-mate when the Junior Springboks won the Junior World Championship title on home soil in 2012.
The 20-year-old edged out England wing Nathan Earle, Ireland centre Garry Ringrose and New Zealand wing Tevita Li following a comprehensive voting system.
IRB chairperson Bernard Lapasset said: “It is always a difficult task to select a winner, especially when all the candidates have performed so impressively during a spectacular Junior World Championship, but Handré Pollard is a deserved recipient of the prestigious IRB Junior Player of the Year award.”
“His superb marshalling at flyhalf has been an eye-catching feature of the Junior Boks’ passage to the final and Pollard has performed throughout with great poise, control and adventure. I would like to extend my congratulations to him.”
“While accolades are well deserved, it is the on and off-field character-building experiences that will pave the way for all the talented young players at this tournament to grow into great rugby players. I wish the class of 2014 all the best and thank them for the pleasure and inspiration that they have given to fans around the world.”
Pollard dedicated his award to his team-mates: “Absolutely, it is a big honour for me and all the credit goes to my team-mates. I think you can’t do anything in rugby without your team-mates and that’s the beauty of it, it’s such a team sport and these group of guys we were so amazing. We fought for the jersey and we fought for pride and that’s what rugby is about for me,” said Pollard.
The fly half was outstanding throughout the tournament, leading South Africa’s challenge with a great maturity and inspired others to follow his example, setting up or scoring pivotal scores to turn a match in his side’s favour.
Previous winners:2013 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Sam Davies (Wales)
2012 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Jan Serfontein (South Africa)
2011 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: George Ford (England)
2010 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Julian Savea (New Zealand)
2009 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Aaron Cruden (New Zealand)
2008 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Luke Braid (New Zealand)
2007 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Robert Fruean (New Zealand)
2006 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Josh Holmes (Australia)
2006 – IRB International Under-21 Player of the Year: Lionel Beauxis (France)
2005 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Isaia Toeava (New Zealand)
2005 – IRB International Under-21 Player of the Year: Tatafua Polota-Nau (Australia)
2004 – IRB International Under-19 Player of the Year: Jeremy Thrush (New Zealand)
2004 – IRB International Under-21 Player of the Year: Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
2003 – IRB Under-19 Player of the Year: Jean Baptiste Payras (France)
2003 – IRB Under-21 Player of the Year: Ben Atiga (New Zealand)
2002 – IRB Under-19 Player of the Year: Luke McAlister (New Zealand)
2002 – IRB Under-21 Player of the Year: Pat Barnard (South Africa)
2001 – IRB Young Player of the Year: Gavin Henson (Wales)
Handré Pollard receives his IRB Junior Player of the Year award from All Black legend Jonah Lomu... - IRB Juniors
