EXHIBIT 5.1


                        William P. Crawford, Jr., Esquire
                  Executive Vice President and General Counsel



                                  May 13, 2002


The South Financial Group, Inc.
104 South Main Street
Greenville, South Carolina  29601

Gulf West Banks, Inc.
425 22nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33704

         RE:      Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to 4,465,141
                  shares of The South Financial Group, Inc. Common Stock

Gentlemen/Ladies:

         The opinions set forth herein are rendered with respect to the
4,465,141 shares, $1.00 par value per share, of the Common Stock (the "Common
Stock") of The South Financial Group, Inc., a South Carolina corporation (the
"Company"), which may be issued by the Company in connection with its
acquisition of Gulf West Banks, Inc. ("Gulf West"), all as set forth in that
certain Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into as of March 21, 2002 by and
between the Company and Gulf West (the "Merger Agreement'). The Common Stock is
being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed on or
about May 13, 2002, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         I have examined the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
and the Company's Bylaws, as amended, and reviewed the records of the Company's
corporate proceedings. I have made such other investigations as I have deemed
necessary in order to enable me to render this opinion.

         Based on and subject to the comments, limitations and qualifications
set forth herein, I am of the opinion that the shares of Common Stock to be sold
pursuant to the Registration Statement will, when issued to the Gulf West
shareholders in accordance with the Merger Agreement, be legally and validly
issued and fully paid and non-assessable.

         The foregoing opinion is limited to matters governed by the laws of the
State of South Carolina in force on the date of this letter. I express no
opinion with regard to any matter which may be (or purports to be) governed by
the laws of any other state or jurisdiction.

         I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and consent to being named in the Registration Statement under the
heading "LEGAL MATTERS" as passing upon the validity of the Shares.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         /s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.
                                         ----------------------------

                                         William P. Crawford, Jr., Esquire