Rudi Koertzen

Rudolf Eric Koertzen, famously known as Rudi Koertzen, was born in Knysna in the Western Cape, South Africa in the year 1949. A cricket enthusiast since his childhood, Koertzen played league cricket while working for South African Railways. For a start, he became an umpire officiating at domestic games in the year 1981. Rudi then broke into the international arena in the year 1992, when he umpired in his first ODI between South Africa and India. During that same tour, he made his test debut, again in a game between South Africa and India. Rudi took the umpiring standards to higher levels and became a full time ICC umpire in the years 1997 and soon became part of the Elite Umpires Panel, as well. He has officiated at 108 tests and 209 ODIs along with 14 T20s in his career. He was also the first umpire to umpire in 200 ODIs. He was awarded the ICC Bronze Bails Award for 100 ODIs, ICC Silver Bails Award for 200 ODIs and ICC Golden Bails Award for 100 Tests.