National Accelerant squad member and Otago captain Shannon Francois has been called into the Silver Ferns team after Silver Ferns midcourter Grace Rasmussen has been ruled out of the upcoming Quad Series with a stress reaction in her ankle sustained at last week’s Lion Foundation National Champs.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu said it disappointing to not have the services of the utility midcourter for the Quad Series.

"Grace has put in a lot of work to get back to full fitness (after recovery from ACL injury last year) and so to have another setback like this so close to the Series is very disappointing for us all. For Shannon this is an exciting opportunity to expose another young New Zealand midcourter to the international stage," Taumaunu said.

The Silver Ferns depart Auckland for their first test against South Africa in the Quad Series on Thursday 11.