Ross Vintcent’s rugby journey has been anything but conventional.
Born in Johannesburg, raised in Dubai, and now representing Italy on the international stage, the Exeter Chiefs’ flanker embodies adaptability.
At just 22, Vintcent’s winding path through rugby has led him to establishing himself as a key player for the Chiefs, having played every minute of their 2024/25 Premiership campaign thus far.
His latest challenge in his rapid rise, comes in Italy’s Autumn Internationals against Argentina, Georgia, and New Zealand, after confirmation of his inclusion in the squad last week.
“Rugby’s always been central to my family,” Vintcent recalled.
“My dad bought me a small rugby ball, and I just, fell in love with the game.”
After his family moved to Dubai for his father’s job, Vintcent indulged his passion for rugby through a local club where he spent nine years as a schoolboy before strengthening his rugby foundations in South Africa, where he attended boarding school.
The transition to Italy came as a surprise opportunity during his gap year, following canceled school games in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the age of 18, with an invitation from the Italian squad, Vintcent chose to put his studies on hold and make the move, committing to his long-term rugby aspirations.
He said: “I was always going to play rugby, I was just sort of deciding where I would stay, because I wanted to do my studies.
“I wanted to get my degree whilst playing rugby. But then this offer came up, and it was seemed like a really good idea to just play some rugby.
“I didn’t have any expectations. I knew that there was a Six Nations that year. What they had said is that it was unlikely that I would be a part of that squad, because I’d come so late, but there were a few injuries, and luckily, I was called up.”
Since then, he’s been a standout performer, rising from the under-20s to his debut in the Six Nations in 2024 and now a key pick for Italy’s Autumn Internationals.
Vintcent’s arrival in Italy marked a profound shift for him, and whilst it was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse, it wasn’t without its challenges.
“I was kind of thrown into the deep end into a room with two other Italians, I guess I was forced to learn the language.
“It was difficult at first, but I had friends who helped,” Vintcent said.
“Being thrown into a foreign country taught me resilience.”
The experience, he noted, expanded his approach to the game, learning from Italy’s pride and team focused mentality.
He said: “When the boys put on that jersey, it triggers an emotion you can’t describe.
“Playing for your country, they don’t take it lightly here.”
If Vincent’s rugby heritage wasn’t unique enough, his journey through playing in a range of positions is also something that has helped forge his unique attributes.
“So this is going to sound a bit strange but actually, I used to be a scrum half. Prepubescent me was a scrum half and I was the smallest guy on every field and my idol used to be Francois Hougaard the Springbok scrum half,” Vintcent said.
But in 2020, after his school coach suggested a change to the back row, Vintcent found his strongest position and has never looked back since.
He credits his background in Dubai’s sevens circuit for sharpening his ball-handling and footwork, skills that have translated well to his flanker role.
He explained: “Sevens is quite big in Dubai. There weren’t many schools to play against, but we traveled a lot, even toured the UK, playing at Roslyn Park which was amazing experience playing against some of the best sides.
As he looks forward to representing Italy, Vintcent has his sights set on balancing his degree and his rugby career.
After spending some time playinf with Zebre in Italy, he made the decision to move to the UK and opted to Study Economics at the University of Exeter, where he quickly established himself as an Exeter Chiefs regular where he has just signed a new contract in May.
“I wanted to get my degree while playing rugby,” he said, seeing education as a ‘Plan B’ that, like his rugby career, brings stability and discipline to his life.
For Vintcent, wearing the Italian jersey the culmination of a journey that has taken him from a small club in Dubai to competing amongst Europe’s best.
“All these rugby experiences, across different countries and cultures, have shaped me as a player,” he reflects.
“I know being able to adapt to different cultures as well has definitely helped along the way and has helped with my mindset towards rugby.
“I guess the Italy experience has been a real eye opener, being thrown into a foreign country, and, you know, there were times I was obviously homesick and like wanting to come home and missing my family and stuff, but I think being able to push through that has taught me a lot about myself and and resilience, which has definitely come in handy on the rugby field.
And now, with his international career on the rise, Vintcent’s journey continues as he steps into Italy’s Autumn Internationals, ready to make an impact.
HJC Journalism 