[Letterhead of Wyche Burgess Freeman & Parham, P.A.]



                                            November 5, 2003





The South Financial Group, Inc.
102 South Main Street
Greenville, SC 29601

         Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to The South Financial Group, Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with the offer and sale of up to 6,325,000 shares (the
"Shares") of common stock of the Company registered pursuant to a shelf
registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement"). This opinion is being
furnished pursuant to the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K.

         In rendering this opinion, we have examined the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, the Company's Bylaws, as amended, and reviewed
certain records of the Company's corporate proceedings, the Registration
Statement and the underwriting agreement relating to the sale of the Shares (the
"Underwriting Agreement"). We have made such other investigation of law and fact
as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us to render this opinion. With
respect to matters of fact, we have relied upon information provided to us by
the Company with no further investigation. With respect to all examined
documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic
originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the accuracy and
completeness of the information contained therein.

         Based on the foregoing and subject to the comments, limitations and
qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold
in the manner and for the consideration contemplated by the Registration
Statement and the Underwriting Agreement, will be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.


                                      -2-

         This opinion is limited to matters governed by the laws of the State of
South Carolina in force on the date of this letter. We express no opinion with
regard to any matter which may be (or which purports to be) governed by the laws
of any other state or jurisdiction. In addition, we express no opinion with
respect to any matter arising under or governed by the South Carolina Uniform
Securities Act, as amended.

         This opinion is rendered as of the date of this letter and applies only
to the matters specifically covered by this opinion, and we disclaim any
continuing responsibility for matters occurring after the date of this letter.

         This opinion is rendered solely for your benefit in connection with the
offer and sale of the Shares and may not be relied upon, quoted or used by any
other person or entity or for any other purpose without our prior written
consent.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Registration Statement. In
giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                               Sincerely,

                               /s/ WYCHE BURGESS FREEMAN & PARHAM, P.A.