Anderson-Heather, who will captain the team for a second straight time tonight against Manawatu, has Otago captaincy in his blood.
His grandfather John Anderson captained the Otago team in the early 1960s.
John Anderson was a front-row forward who played 50 times for Otago from 1955-64 although he did not play every year during that time.
He was based in Central Otago and played for the Matakanui, Cromwell and Alexandra clubs.
John Anderson died last year in his early 80s.
Simon Anderson, a son of John Anderson, and an uncle to Sam Anderson-Heather, played 18 times for Otago from 1986-88 as an outside back.
Sam Anderson-Heather (28) has played 44 games for Otago so far and will be hoping to get to 50, though that will not be possible this season.
He has enjoyed more game time this year with captain Liam Coltman away on All Black duty.
The hooker will be looking to lead the team from the front tonight, although he has been stripped of a lot of experience in the team.
The side’s three most experienced forwards — Tom Franklin, Paul Grant and Coltman — are all not starting.
Franklin was set to play his 50th game for the province but a slight fracture in the leg has forced him out.
Grant has an injured knee and will miss the game while Coltman is just back from South Africa and will start on the bench.