Former India opener Virender Sehwag paid deep respects to late South African umpire Rudi Koertzen who passed away on August 9, 2022, in a car crash near Riversdale. Along with him, three other people lost their lives in a head-on collision.
The 73-year-old was on his way back home from Cape Town after a golf weekend when the tragic incident took place.
His son, Rudi Koertzen Jr said, “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.”
He stood in a record 209 ODIs and is one of just three umpires to officiate in over 100 Tests. He also officiated in 14 T20I matches and was officially voted the top umpire in 2002, and was nominated for the ICC Umpire of the Year award in 2005 and 2006.
Sehwag took to his official Instagram account and posted a heartfelt message which read: “Vale Rudi Koertzen! Om Shanti. Condolences to his family and friends. Had a great relationship with him. Whenever I used to play a rash shot, he used to scold me saying, “Play sensibly, I want to watch your batting”. Once he wanted to buy a particular brand of cricket pads for his son and enquired about it from me. I gifted him and he was so grateful. A gentleman and a very wonderful person. Will miss you Rudi. Om Shanti.”
