Six weeks later, at the South African Open Championships in Potchefstroom, she won in the even faster time of 55.87 seconds, which was an amazing improvement of five seconds since 2009.
In 2009 her best time was 60.22 seconds. Last year it was 57.11s.
When asked about the reason for her success, Ebersohn immediately credited Hennie Kotzé, her coach.
“Hennie is just amazing. When he started to coach me I could only dream about running the fast times that I am capable of now.
“Thanks to his patience and constant support, I am now on the verge of making a breakthrough into international athletics. He also helped me to believe in my abilities as an athlete,” said Ebersohn.
Ebersohn comes from a strong sporting family.
Her dad, Tiaan Ebersohn, was a great attacking centre for Western Province and the Free State in the Eighties and her twin brothers, Robert and Sias, are considered by many rugby pundits to be talented.
Some even reckon that the question is not whether they will become Springboks, but rather when.
According to Anneri, who matriculated at Oranje Meisieskool in Bloemfontein, it was her brothers who taught her what it means to have ‘true guts’. They installed in her the principle of never quitting, no matter how tough things got.
Ebersohn says she cannot remember a time when she was not participating in sports.
“I played netball at school, but it was athletics that excited me. I guess I have become addicted to the adrenaline rush caused by competing in races and to the long hard hours of training.”
At first her brothers were also keen on athletics.
“At primary school Robert won a few SA titles in the high jump, long jump and hurdles and he was also the u.15 100-hurdles champion. But then he decided to quit athletics to focus seriously on playing rugby.
“Sias did javelin throwing at school. I personally think that he was very talented, but when it came to training he was a bit lazy. Rugby was all that mattered to him.”
One of the most exciting rivalries in South African athletics at the moment is that between Ebersohn and Wenda Nel (Theron).
Nel has been dominating the 400-hurdles during the past three seasons, usually beating her opponents by quite a few metres.
Last year Ebersohn was the only athlete who was able to beat her in a local race.
This season it is Ebersohn who is winning and Nel who has to run hard to keep up.
What makes it interesting is that Ebersohn and Nel are not only training partners but good friends as well.
The question arises whether their rivalry does not have a negative impact on their friendship?
“I don’t think it ever will. I have great respect for Wenda, both as an athlete and as a friend, and we have lots of fun when we train together.
“I will admit that I do not always enjoy racing against her, but sometimes it feels as if we compete as a team against the other six athletes.
“Frankly, I feel that having Wenda in the same race brings out the best in me. She has the ability to psych me up and to let me believe in myself.
“In the end it is important to remember that, when all is said and done, athletics is merely a sport.
“I firmly believe that Wenda and I will one day, when we are old, entertain our children and friends with stories about our adventures on the athletics track and of the fun we had together.”
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