The Proteas duo were rested for the T20I and ODI series against India, and were set to prepare for the two-Test series, which starts on Boxing Day, with a rare first-class outing for their franchise.
However, according to the Lions, Bavuma has a “personal matter” to attend to while Rabada has a heel niggle.
The Lions will also be without star all-rounder Wiaan Mulder for the match which starts on Thursday as he has been called up by the Proteas.
But pace bowlers Duanne Olivier and Tshepo Moreki, and in-form batsman Zubair Hamza are all back from South Africa A duty.
