Rudi Birkenstock was born in Johannesburg on 8 November 1963. The South African official has built a career presiding over domestic and international matches. He brings decades of experience to the middle, having navigated a wide range of fixtures across various formats.
His international work includes officiating in 7 ODI matches and 2 T20I matches. He is also recognized for his role in the women's game, where he stood in 7 WODIs between 2008 and 2013, as well as 2 WT20Is in 2013. These assignments highlight his consistency as an umpire on the international stage.
Domestically, Birkenstock maintained a steady presence in the South African circuit. He stood in matches during the 2016–17 Sunfoil 3-Day Cup and the 2016–17 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge. His involvement in these tournaments kept him at the center of the local game during those seasons.
Cricket runs deep in the family. His son, Karl Birkenstock, plays first-class cricket for Namibia. The family connection to the sport extends further through his nephew, Uwe Birkenstock.