Umpire Rudi Koertzen

Former South African international cricket umpire Rudolf Eric “Rudi” Koertzen. He was born on March 26th, 1949, and is from the South African town of Knysna in the Western Cape. Famous for lifting his index finger extremely slowly to declare the batter out, the slow death earned him the moniker. Koertzen is a well-known character in cricket and holds the record for the most ODIs officiated as an umpire.

Rudi Koertzen Bio

Death

At the age of 73, Rudi Koerzten passes away. Tragically, a vehicle accident claimed the life of a South African cricket umpire. “Rudi received fatal injuries following an accident at Stilbaai between Cape Town and Gqeberha,” a family spokesman said.

In an interview with the South African website Algoa FM News, Rudi Jr. revealed his father’s passing.

He said: “It appears that my father and several friends decided to play another round of golf after they were supposed to return on Monday from a golf event they attended with my father.”

Net Worth

The estimated net worth of Rudi Koertzen is $9 million. Successful cricketer Rudi Koertzen has earned a good chunk of money.

Family

Height & Weight

Career

Even as a young man, he was a lifetime cricket devotee. He was a clerk for the South African Railways while playing league cricket in Kimberley. He was a budding medium-pace bowler but quickly realized he lacked the skills necessary to advance to the regional level. He decided to take the umpires’ exam instead, and ten weeks later, he officiated his first first-class match between Griqualand West and Western Province B.

Umpire Career

As a cricket umpire, Koertzen had some very challenging circumstances initially since South Africa was experiencing sporting isolation that didn’t end until 1991. As an umpire since 1981, Koertzen had to wait 11 years to preside in his first international match.

On December 9, 1992, he played in his first-ever international match, the second ODI of India’s tour of South Africa. On Boxing Day of 1992, during the same series, he made his Test debut.

In 1997, Koertzen started officiating ICC games full-time. When the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires was established in 2002, he had the honor of being one of its founding members.

He served as a referee at the World Cups in 2003 and 2007, as well as the controversial 2005 Ashes Series, which saw England’s cricket team win for the first time since 1989.

Awards

• Bronze Bail Award from the ICC for 100 ODIs
• Silver Bail Award from the ICC for 200 ODIs
• Golden Bail Award for 100 Tests from the ICC

The first official to get all three of these honors was Koertzen. Only Aleem Dar has since reached this feat.

Stats

He has headed over 14 T20I games, 209 ODIs, and 108 Tests.

Retirements

On July 24, 2010, Koertzen announced his retirement from international officiating, with the final Test between Pakistan and Australia at Leeds serving as his final contest.

Controversy

He received criticism for his choices during the Test Match between England and Sri Lanka in March 2001, where he made a few glaring errors. His misreading of the rules during the 2007 World Cup final put him in the wrong limelight, and the following year, he was prohibited from officiating the first ICC World Twenty20.

Faqs

Does Rudi Koertzen have kids?

His four children were dear to Rudolf Eric Koertzen. Rudolf, Luan, Yulali, and Eumelda are his four children, along with two daughters. Rudolf writes about his cherished children in his book Slow Death: Memoirs of a Cricket Umpire.

How old is Rudi Koertzen?

Born in Knysna, South Africa, on March 26, 1949, Rudi Koertzen is 73 years old.

What was Rudi Koertzen’s cause of death?

On August 9, 2022, Koertzen was killed in a vehicle accident while on the route from a golf weekend in Cape Town to his parent’s house in Despatch, Eastern Cape.

What Happened With Rudi Koertzen?

On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, former South African umpire Rudi Koertzen was killed in a vehicle accident.