EXHIBIT 23

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


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, 333-96141, 333-99159,  333-102877,  333-103763,
333-111805,  333-104947, and 333-109578) on Form S-8 and registration statements
(Nos. 333-06975, 333-49078,  333-66264,  333-106578, and 333-112404) on Form S-3
of The South  Financial  Group,  Inc.  of our report  dated May 26,  2004,  with
respect to the  statements  of net assets  available  for  benefits of The South
Financial Group, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") as of December 31, 2003 and 2002,
and the related  statements of changes in net assets  available for benefits for
the year ended  December  31, 2003 and for the period from  December 16, 2002 to
December 31,  2002,  and the related  supplemental  schedule of Schedule H, line
4i-schedule  of assets  (held at end of year) as of  December  31,  2003,  which
report appears in the December 31, 2003 annual report on Form 11-K of the Plan.



Greenville, South Carolina                        /s/KPMG LLP
June 28, 2004