James Dalton sees his new captaincy role at the Bulls as a challenge and the controversial hooker says he wants to lead by example in the Super 12 game against the Stormers in Pretoria on Saturday.

The Springbok, who was a late addition to the Bulls squad, was on Tuesday somewhat surprisingly named as captain by coach Phil Pretorius in the absence of the injured Joost van der Westhuizen and Anton Leonard. But Dalton is not daunted by the prospects of taking over the reins of a struggling Bulls' side.

"I know certain people are sceptical about my appointment, but I had the responsibility bestowed upon me in the past. I captained the SA Universities and the Transvaal under-21s, so I'm quite familiar with that type of thing, although not at this prestigious level," Dalton said on Wednesday.

Dalton is trying to get his career, which derailed after 34 Tests for the Springboks, back on track. After an absence of 18 months due to personal problems, he made his comeback for the Falcons in this year's Vodacom Cup.

He was drafted into the Bulls' starting line-up early in April after regular hooker Naka Drotske had to serve a one-match suspension for elbowing an opponent. After a good opening game, Dalton retained his place and is now a permanent feature in the No 2 jersey.

Some players in the throes of a comeback effort would have declined the captaincy, but not the fiery 29-year-old. He reckons he thrives on the added responsibility.

"Some guys feel that kind of responsibility affects them negatively, but it is my experience that the captaincy only improves my performance. It depends on the kind of people around you. At this level every guy is a captain in his own position and it is an honour for me to captain them," said Dalton.

He added: "I want to go on the field and use my example to lead them. I just hope my energy and example will rub off on them."

Dalton set high standards for himself when he decided to give a comeback a serious go. "I am reasonably happy with my performances, but I still feel I can do a lot better," he said. "I have a lot of strengths in my game and I know I'm going to sound arrogant when I say this," he laughed.

"But I've performed well in a side that hasn't done well and that says a lot about my abilities. I managed to perform although I almost never played from the front foot and I think my linking game, my ability to get out wide and play a supporting role as well as my ability to create turnovers have been a strength.

"And, of course, playing against me has never been easy!" the hooker added with a roar of laughter.

Dalton has always been a firm believer in his own abilities and he doesn't make a secret of his desire to get back the Springbok No 2 jersey that he last donned in 1998 on the European tour.

"Look, I mean I'm helluva arrogant now, but I don't believe anybody really stood up for hooker position since the time I've played and that place is very open still," he said.

"You can look at how many different hookers there have been since I've left the scene. John Smit filled that role quite well, but besides him there is nobody really out there and I want to stake a claim to that position.

"To be honest though, I'm not even thinking about national selection right now. My focus is on the Bulls and my own performances now. I got myself into a position where people talk about me as a possible Springbok candidate again and I just want to concentrate on playing well."