Magala, Rickelton backed in new Proteas contract group, but Phehlukwayo's fall confirmed

Sisanda Magala newfound prominence in the Proteas bowling group has been confirmed after Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced him as one of three new nationally contracted players for next season.

The burly but influential Lions quick has been in the national selection frame for years though he was previously dogged by fitness requirements before coming right recently.

He notably produced a match-winning spell in the first ODI against England in Bloemfontein and will be a key figure in the upcoming white-ball assignments against the West Indies, where Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will be rested.

CSA have also awarded a contract to Ryan Rickelton, who's been a focal point in terms of Proteas selection debates over the past months, while it will be hoped that the faith shown in Tristan Stubbs - the SA20's most expensive player who struggled for runs in the inaugural tournament - translates into a return to big-hitting form.

Heinrich Klaasen has been upgraded after appearing in several formats during the season and wily Wayne Parnell deserves a deal following a year where he's become an understated, reliable member of the white-ball teams.

The lanky Marco Jansen, after a great start to his international career, is also given the nod, while Bjorn Fortuin looks set to challenge the spin bowling group in the ODI and T20 setups.

Tellingly, red-ball coach Shukri Conrad and co have convinced Dean Elgar to stay on after a few weeks of speculation over his international future after being replaced as Test captain by Temba Bavuma.

The feisty left-hand opener has almost nine months of off-time before South Africa's next Test assignment, against India in December, and Conrad expressed his hope that Elgar could clinch a proper English