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 31, 2002 and December 15, 2002, and
the related  statements of changes in net assets  available for benefits for the
period from  December 16, 2002 to December 31, 2002 and the year ended  December
15, 2002,  which report  appears in the December 31, 2002  transition  report on
Form 11-K of the Plan.



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