Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the Cricket SA first-class final due to injury.
Bavuma was expected to feature for the Lions against the Titans in the domestic showpiece, starting at the Wanderers on Thursday.
The national captain has yet to play for the Lions in the first-class competition this season, despite the Proteas playing their last international match more than a month ago.
All the Proteas Test squad members not participating in the IPL have since played first-class cricket for their respective provincial unions.
Bavuma was part of the Lions squad for last weeks match against the Knights in Bloemfontein, but the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.