The Tri-Nations clash in Perth highlights this week's column, but don't forget about the Belgian Grand Prix or the fiery affair taking place at Old Trafford this weekend...

Ruan Pienaar

Despite Peter De Villiers? statement earlier this season that Ruan Pienaar will only be considered for the flyhalf role (when the Bok coach was quizzed on the positives of including three scrumhalfs in a match squad), Pienaar now returns to the Bok team at full-back in place of the inconsistent Francois Steyn. Steyn seems to have all the tools to be a great fullback ? a big boot, enough pace, solid under the high-ball and strong defense. But he is one of the most inconsistent players I have ever seen and dropping him to the bench is arguably the only way for the Bok coach to get Pienaar (Div's favourite player in the world) and the in-form Morne Steyn in the same line-up. Pienaar has played full-back before for the Springboks - starting twice, in fact, but it is not by any stretch of the imagination his favoured position. All eyes will undoubtedly be on him come Saturday...

Springboks

A victory in Perth won't hand the Springboks the Tri-Nations crown - only another victory will do that - but a win on Saturday will put them in a situation where they could theoretically lose their last two matches on the road and still claim victory in this year's competition. An enviable position to be in.

Wallabies

The Wallabies still have an outside chance of winning the tournament (thanks to a couple of handy bonus points against the All Blacks) but going through the Tri-Nations without a win is a far more likely outcome based on their form so far this season. In order to keep hopes of finishing without the wooden spoon alive, Australia desperately need a victory, but with the amount of injuries to key players and considering the form of their opposition, I simply can't see them winning.

Jenson Button

After a flying start to the season in which he won five of the first seven races, Formula One Championship leader Jenson Button has now gone four without a podium finish. Even though 18 points is still a massive lead, Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello, Mark Webber and even Sebastian Vettel must all feel like they have a chance of catching the Brit. A victory for Jenson at Spa though will once again put him firmly in command heading into the final part of the season.

Manchester United and Arsenal

In the first really big game of the season, Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to play defending English Premier League Champions Manchester United. Arsenal started the season in sparkling form and look like title challengers once again, whilst their Mancunian rivals have had a hiccup already this year (against Burnley). Arsenal might be without captain Cesc Fabregas, but the Gunnners will still fancy their chances of causing an upset over their great rivals, who are missing star defender Rio Ferdinand. Matches between these two sides have often been feisty classics, and Saturday's encounter is likely to be no different.

Rafa Benitez and Liverpool

It is actually a bit of a joke that a Liverpool side that were title favourites in many people's eyes before the season started have already been written off after two defeats. Whilst losing to Spurs and Aston Villa holds no shame (I fancy these two will cause another upset or two over the course of the season), anything but victory at the Reebok stadium on Saturday and the alarm bells will surely start ringing outside Anfield.

  • Do you agree with Barend? Who - or what - will you be watching closely this weekend? Leave a comment below!