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 reports dated March 9, 1998 and January 8, 1999 included
(or incorporated by reference) in Anchor Financial  Corporation's  Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1999.

                                  /s/ TOURVILLE, SIMPSON & HENDERSON, L.L.P.

Tourville, Simpson & Henderson, L.L.P.
Columbia, South Carolina
June 15, 2000