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.
33-79668, 333-31948, 333-53170, 333-99159, 333-102877,  333-103763,  333-104947,
333-109578,  333-111805, 333-177409 and 333-117508) on Form S-8 and registration
statements (Nos. 333-112404, 333-106578 and 333-120366) on Form S-3 of The South
Financial  Group,  Inc. of our report dated June 24,  2005,  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, 2004 and 2003,  and related
statements  of changes in net assets  available for benefits for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related  supplemental  Schedule H, line 4i -
schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December  31, 2004,  which report
appears in the December 31, 2004 annual report on Form 11-K of the Plan.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Greenville, South Carolina
July 14, 2005











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