The South African-born goal keep has been in some of the best from of her career, snatching rebounds, claiming intercepts and making deflections at an impressive rate - or an alarming rate if you are in the opposition.
She is tied at the top of the leader board with Melbourne's Geva Mentor with 13 intercepts, and is the joint leader with Queensland's Laura Geitz on 30 deflections. She has also grabbed 16 rebounds and is seventh on that list.
Just as impressively, de Bruin does not feature among the competition's most penalised players. So it has been good, clean defending and right now she is the arguably the form defender in the ANZ Championship.
Despite her best efforts, the Steel has not always been able to string it together at the other end.
The Invercargill-based franchise showed some promising signs against the Central Pulse on Monday. But the first five weeks have been characterised by some sloppy work on attack.
Shooter Paula Griffin's combination with goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti has lacked polish, and some of the service from the midcourt has been decidedly average.
It has been particularly frustrating for de Bruin, who has been stuck down the other end of court unable to do anything else other than watch.
"When you know what they are capable of it is frustrating to see them not playing to their potential," de Bruin said.
"It will definitely take some time for them to gel. Paula and Daneka have not played together much but I think they have started to work out what their strengths are and what is actually working for them.
"Hopefully, they can build from where they left off on Monday night."
They will need to, and de Bruin will also need to be at her best if the Steel is going to break its nine-game losing streak in Australia with a win against the West Coast Fever in Perth tonight.
The trek from Invercargill to Perth is the most daunting road trip in the competition. The Steel flew to Melbourne on Wednesday and through to Perth on Thursday to break up the journey.
For some of the shorter girls, it is a breeze. But for the 1.90m de Bruin, the wrong seat can mean she spends the flight with her knees far too close to her chin.
"That's why you beg, steal or borrow for an exit seat," she joked.
"It does take a lot out of you ... but you sort of get used to it. We've got good plans in place with pool sessions in between and stretching sessions and just trying to do the right things. So, hopefully, the trip won't be too draining on us."
While the Steel might be a little flat, the opposition will also be on heavy legs. The Fever played the New South Wales Swifts on Thursday night, and was thrashed 70-49.
The match is important for the Steel. The format of the competition lends itself towards two teams from both sides of the Tasman making the playoffs.
The Steel has trailed the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic into the semifinals for the past two seasons. But with the Northern Mystics shaping as strong contenders, the Steel cannot afford to drop games against the likes of the Fever, which has been the worst of the five Australian teams.
Last season, the Steel reached the playoffs with eight wins and five losses. With three losses already this season, the Steel does not have much margin for error.
Marquee import Natasha Chokljat was sidelined for the first four games with a calf strain. She got her first start for the Steel in the second quarter against the Pulse and made an immediate impact.
"She did make a massive difference. It is just that experience she brings and the confidence she has to let the ball go and knowing when to hold on to it," de Bruin said.
With Chokljat adding zip to the midcourt and Griffin starting to find her rhythm, suddenly the Steel looks a much more formidable opponent.
Hayley Saunders is unavailable for the game on compassionate grounds following the death of her father. Former Silver Ferns shooter Jodi Brown has replaced Saunders in the squad.
