EXHIBIT 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
The South Financial Group, Inc.


We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (Nos.
33-25424,  33-79668,  33-80822,   33-82668,  33-82670,   333-31948,   333-53170,
333-53172,  333-67745,  333-83519 and  333-96141)  on Form S-8 and  registration
statements  (Nos.  333-06975,  333-49078 and 333-66264) on Form S-3 of The South
Financial  Group,  Inc. of our report  dated  December 1, 2003,  relating to the
statements of net assets  available for benefits of The South  Financial  Group,
Inc.  401(k) Plan (the "Plan") as of December 15, 2002 and 2001, and the related
statements  of changes in net assets  available  for benefits for the years then
ended,  which report appears in the December 15, 2002 annual report on Form 11-K
of the Plan.



Greenville, South Carolina                                    /s/KPMG LLP
January 7, 2004