De Bruin was included in a South African Academy side that played against a France Under-18 side in Durban^. In 2012, De Bruin moved to Bloemfontein. He made eleven appearances for the Free State U19 side during the 2012 Under-19 Provincial Championship, starting ten of those matches. At the start of the 2013 season, he played for university side UFS Shimlas during the 2013 Varsity Cup competition.

He was selected in the South African Under-20 side that played in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France.

De Bruin's first taste of senior provincial rugby came during the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition for the Free State XV after the 2014 Varsity Cup concluded.

After a long-term injury, de Bruin got back on the field in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, he played his first match on 28 April 2018 against the Griffons.

The 2018/19 season turned out to be best yet for the powerful tight head prop, as he was able to get a lot more game time than usual. In 2018/19 he became a regular on the bench, and he made a tremendous impact with his strong scrummaging and ball-carries.

While De Bruin is a specialist in the number three jersey, he is equally comfortable playing at loosehead prop.