After Ruan played 5 matches for Paarl Boys High First team in 2021, the schools rugby season was closed due to Covid. Having signed for the Lions from 2022 onwards, Ruan then received the opportunity to train with the Lions during the 2021 July holidays. At this training he was invited to play a few matches for the Under 20 team in 2021.
He played two matches in August, travelled back to the Cape to write his Matric Prelim exams, and played another three matches between Prelims and his Final Grade 12 exams. He was fortunate to be part of a very good Lions team who stayed unbeaten for the season and beat Western Province in the Final to be crowned Under 20 Currie Cup Champions for 2021. Ruan had the privilege to score a crucial try with 5 minutes to go in the final.
Thanks to this opportunity the rugby season turned into a fairytale as Ruan become one of just two schoolboys (Ebenezer Tsimanga from Western Province the other) to play under 20 rugby during 2021.
What a blessing. Jeremiah 29:11