GET AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK INTO RUAN AND KIRSTY ACKERMANN’S WEDDING
We caught up with rugby star Ruan Ackermann and ballet teacher and model Kirsty as they prepared for their winelands wedding.
As the son of former provincial and South African rugby player, Johan Ackermann, rugby has always been a part of Ruan’s life.
“I grew up with a rugby ball in my hand from the first time I could get onto the rugby field, I always loved the game.” Ruan played rugby throughout his high school career at Hoërskool Garsfontein and went on to join the Golden Lions Academy in 2015.
In 2017, he decided to broaden his career into international waters and signed on with Gloucester Rugby, where his father was also the head coach.
“Rugby has always been something that I love, I am really humbled and blessed to be able to play this amazing sport,” he explains. Despite his love of the game, we were there to find out more about Ruan’s upcoming wedding to the real love of his love, Kirsty.
Ruan and Kirsty’s love story owes its origins to his brother, Tiaan, who helped the pair get together by getting her number for his brother.
While busy recovering from an injury, Ruan and Kirsty began getting closer and closer and the rest is history. From the beginning, they both knew that they were destined to be together.
To Ruan’s sister and third year student Zilce Ackermann, the couple go together like Saturday and rugby.
“I am so proud of them, they suit each other so well, the’re no perfect couple than them,” she says. The daily was eager to see the pair tie the knock. Kirsty felt destiny calling very early on.
“I knew I wanted to marry Ruan after our first Facetime alone, I walked out of my bedroom and told my mom ‘I’m going to marry him”, and I was right.”
Knowing his bride’s dress would be a timeless design, the groom decided on classic cuts for himself and the manne. The groomsmen included the great matchmaker Tiaan, best friend Rynhardt Schoeman and former teammate Jaco Kriel. All suits were designed by Xana’s Designs.
Ruan has proven his big match temperament before crowds, tens of thousands strong. If he could only hold his nerve in front of their fifty guests. True to form, the couple sailed through it and everything, including the cake, was a hit.
“Seeing Ruan in the chapel was emotional for me, I was struggling to keep it together,” explains Kirsty. Kirsty describes Ruan’s unique quality as human sunshine and now she can wake to it each day.
