Cricket
Former cricket umpire, Rudi Koertzen, dies aged 73─── MORGAN PIEK 14:21 Tue, 09 Aug 2022
The former South African cricket umpire, Rudi Koertzen, was killed on a car accident at the age of 73. Koertzen was en route from Cape Town to Despatch in the Eastern Cape when the incident occurred just outside of Riversdale.
Koertzen who was a part of the International Cricket Council's Elite panel was said to be in the Mother City for a golf tournament.
Koertzen's son, Rudi Koertzen Jr, told Algoa FM that his father was expected to return home on Monday, but they decided to play another round of golf.
"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 officiated in 331 international cricket matches. Only Aleem Dar has officiated in more matches.
The late Koertzen is one of only three umpires to officiate in a 100 or more Tests, with the others being Dar and Steve Bucknor of the West Indies.
Koertzen’s first international series as an umpire was during India's tour of South Africa in 1992-93 and his first game was the second One-Day International at St George’s Park in the then Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).
In his youth, Koertzen played top-division club cricket in Kimberley and was a medium-pace bowler.
