Former South African umpire Rudi Koertzen dies aged 73

Former South African ICC umpire Rudi Koertzen has died aged 73 in a car crash near Riversdale, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Koertzen was known for his unique slow-motion style of adjudicating a batter out. He officiated in 127 Tests and was one of only three umpires to have stood in over 100 Test matches. Beside Tests, the South African also officiated in 250 ODIs, 19 T20Is and 1 WT20I in a career spanning 18 years.

Koertzen was on his way back home from Cape Town to Despatch after a golf weekend when the tragic incident took place. Along with him, three others also lost their life in the accident. His son, Rudi Koertzen Jr confirmed the mishap. “He went on a golf tournament with some of his friends, and they were expected to come back on Monday, but it seems they decided to play another round of golf”, Koertzen Jr was quoted as saying by South African outlet Algoa FM News.

Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar also mourned the incident and said: “It is a very big loss foremost for his family and then for South Africa and cricket.”

“I stood in so many games with him. He was not only very good as an umpire but also an excellent colleague, always very cooperative on field and also always willing to help off the field. Because of the way he was, he was also well-respected by players,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo..

Koertzen’s final assignment was the Leeds Test match between Pakistan and Australia in 2010.

News Desk

Read Previous

Adelaide Strikers signs Deandra Dottin for WBBL 08

Read Next

FC Goa announces T10 Sports as new kit partner