Former international cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen has died in a car accident. He was 73. Koertzen, who was renowned for his deliberate finger-raising, was involved in a head-on collision with three other people close to Riverdale, according to his son Rudi Koertzen Jr. After playing golf at Nelson Mandela Bay, Koertzen was on his way home when the tragic event occurred.
He told Algoa FM News that although some of his friends were supposed to return on Monday from a golf outing, they instead chose to play another round.
The first international match Koertzen umpired was between South Africa and India in 1992 at Port Elizabeth. He began umpiring in 1981 and held the record for most international matches officiated with 331 until his retirement in 2010. He followed the legendary David Shepherd as the only umpire in history to officiate more than 150 ODIs, and he was the second official to stand for 200 Tests after Steve Bucknor. In 2022, one of the founding members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
Former South African umpire Marais Erasmus said: “Rudi had such a resilient personality, both mentally and physically. He made it possible for South African umpires to compete on a global scale. made all of us think it’s possible. an actual legend. He taught me a lot as a young umpire.”
Aleem Dar, who would exceed Koertzen’s record of umpiring the majority of international games, paid a moving tribute to his former coworker. “His family is the first to suffer a great loss, followed by South Africa and cricket. I participated in numerous games with him. He was not only a superb umpire but a great teammate as well, always willing to work with teammates on and off the field. Because of who he was, players respected him as well “said he.
“This morning saw the passing of a cricketing legend who will undoubtedly leave a huge void. We want to send our deepest condolences and support to Uncle Rudi Koertzen’s family and friends “it stated, according to ESPNCricinfo.
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