EXHIBIT 32.1
                  CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                           PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350
                 (SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)

I, Mack I. Whittle,  Jr., Chief Executive  Officer of The South Financial Group,
Inc.  ("TSFG") certify that to the best of my knowledge,  based upon a review of
the  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended June 30,  2004 of TSFG
(the "Report"):

         (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

         (2) The  information  contained in the Report fairly  presents,  in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of TSFG.


/s/ Mack I. Whittle, Jr.
- ---------------------------------
Mack I. Whittle, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
The South Financial Group, Inc.
August 6, 2004

A signed  original of this written  statement  required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the  electronic  version of this written  statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to The South  Financial  Group,  Inc.
and will be retained by The South  Financial  Group,  Inc. and  furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.