The hooker and part-time handyman is taking the reins of the Otago side after injury ended fellow hooker Liam Coltman's season and Paul Grant decided to stay in England.
Otago coach Cory Brown was looking at sharing the captaincy duties between the two hookers and with Coltman's demise, Anderson-Heather is making the big calls.
He admits to being a mix between a ranter and a raver and a ''follow me'' leader.
''You sort of have to be both. At times you have to say what needs to be said. Then at other times people are looking for someone to lead them, someone to get out the front and just take it where it needs to be,'' he said.
''But it is a thrill for me to be made captain and something I'm really excited about.''
The 29-year-old leads Otago into battle tonight in its opening game of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season, as the blue and golds take on North Harbour at Albany.
Anderson-Heather said the side had prepared well for the season.
''We've got the Super Rugby guys come back in and many of them did not play that much rugby so they're keen to get out and play. Then you've got the club guys who always look forward to this part of the season.
''There is a solid group of us who have been together for a good few years now. We just want to get out there and play and take on some good sides.''
The Otago forward pack has also lost experienced lock Tom Franklin, so there are some holes to fill.
''That is just professional rugby. You get attached with guys but for whatever reason they look to move on and so someone else comes in and gets an opportunity.''
Otago lost to North Harbour in the dying minutes of last year's championship final, but there was no talk of revenge from Anderson-Heather.
''They're a different side with new players. They've had a lot of changes and we haven't talked about that at all.''
The hooker will play his 48th game for the province tonight and getting to the half century was a goal.
''My grandfather [John Anderson] played 50 odd games for the province, so I'll have to have a pretty solid season to get past him.
''But I've always enjoyed playing for Otago and like living in Dunedin. It's the sort of place that is big enough for things to happen and small enough to get around easy.''
A grade two tear to his MCL in his knee slowed him down after playing against the British and Irish Lions for the provincial Barbarians. But he is ready to lead Otago into action, flowing locks and all.
''It is the first time I've grown my hair this long. I said to my partner, once I get a real job I won't be able to do it, so I might as well do it now. But it is itchy as hell.
''People I've spoken to who have long hair say this is the worst time and you just need to push through it and it will get better.
''I haven't decided how to tie it up for the game. But it's not really what an Otago forward should be like.
''I don't think Dick Knight would have talked about tying his hair up.''
New Zealand's top provincial players will be celebrated through two new awards announced by New Zealand Rugby yesterday.
The Duane Monkley Medal will be awarded for player of the year in the Mitre 10 Cup and the Fiao'o Fa'amausili Medal for the player of the year in the Farah Palmer Cup.
It is the first time the women's competition has had a top player award attached to it.
The awards will be determined under a new points system, with the inaugural winners to be revealed at the ASB Rugby Awards in December.
The medals have been named after two long-serving players.