About Rudi Koertzen
Rudolf Eric Koertzen (; 26 March 1949 – 9 August 2022) was a South African international cricket umpire and former cricketer. A cricket enthusiast since his youth, he played league cricket while working as a clerk for South African Railways. He began umpiring in 1981, before becoming a full-time official eleven years later. In an international career spanning 18 years, he officiated in a record 331 matches and is only behind Aleem Dar in officiating as an umpire in most international matches. == Early life == Koertzen was born in Knysna, Cape Province, Union of South Africa, on 26 March 1949. A medium pace bowler, he played for a top-level cricket club in Kimberley. He worked as a railway clerk in Port Elizabeth, before being employed in the construction industry. He started umpiring in 1981, before becoming a full-time umpire in 1992, when he was 43 years old. == Umpiring career == Koertzen officiated in his first One Day International (ODI) on 9 December 1992, and in his first Test match later the same month. Both matches were contested between South Africa and India at Port Elizabeth, in the first series in which television replays were used to assist with run out decisions.
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