CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Board of Directors:  The South Financial Group

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in the  registration  statement of The South Financial Group (formerly
named  Carolina  First  Corporation)  on Form S-3 (File No.  333-06975)  and the
registration statements on Forms S-8 (File Nos. 333-67745,  333-83519, 333-96141
and  333-31948)  of  our  report  dated  January  31,  1998,   relating  to  the
consolidated  financial  statements  of ComSouth  Bankshares,  Inc. for the year
ended  December  31, 1997  included (or  incorporated  by  reference)  in Anchor
Financial Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

                                      /s/ J.W. HUNT AND COMPANY, LLP




Columbia, South Carolina
June 14, 2000