Care, 25, missed the 2011 World Cup through injury, and returned to the team for the Six Nations only to be dropped after he was charged with drink driving.
Since he last played for England against Wales last August, Care was arrested four times in three months earlier this year.
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But after giving up alcohol, Care redoubled his efforts to earn a recall to the Three Lions squad, and it appears his attempt has been rewarded.
Care told the Evening Standard: “It’s been a while off the booze now and I do feel fitter and while it’s been tough, it has worked.
Playing for England was taken away from me and I’m never going to let that happen again.
It’s been a long time since that Wales game and my aim is to win back that number nine jersey.
As well as Care, James Haskell and Ugo Monye have also returned to the squad, with Chris Robshaw named as captain.
Haskell missed the Six Nations after electing to play in Japan, but has been given his chance in the absence of injured flankers Tom Croft and Tom Wood.
Dylan Hartley returns to the squad after serving his eight-week ban for biting, while uncapped Tom Youngs and youngsters Christian Wade and Joe Launchbury are also included.
England will play two warm up matches, against SA Barbarians South on June 13 and SA Barbarians North on June 19, before taking on the Springboks in three Tests on June 9, 16 and 23.
England squad
Forwards: Mouritz Botha (Saracens), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints), Carl Fearns (Bath Rugby), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Otago Highlanders), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Lee Mears (Bath Rugby), Ben Morgan (Scarlets), Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), George Robson (Harlequins), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Backs: Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers), Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins) Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), George Lowe (Harlequins), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), David Strettle (Saracens), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
One more chance: Care recalled for England tour of South Africa
ENGLAND COACH STUART LANCASTER has recalled Harlequins scrum half Danny Care to his 42-man squad to tour South Africa next month.
Care, 25, missed the 2011 World Cup through injury, and returned to the team for the Six Nations only to be dropped after he was charged with drink driving.
Since he last played for England against Wales last August, Care was arrested four times in three months earlier this year.
But after giving up alcohol, Care redoubled his efforts to earn a recall to the Three Lions squad, and it appears his attempt has been rewarded.
Care told the Evening Standard: “It’s been a while off the booze now and I do feel fitter and while it’s been tough, it has worked.
As well as Care, James Haskell and Ugo Monye have also returned to the squad, with Chris Robshaw named as captain.
Haskell missed the Six Nations after electing to play in Japan, but has been given his chance in the absence of injured flankers Tom Croft and Tom Wood.
Dylan Hartley returns to the squad after serving his eight-week ban for biting, while uncapped Tom Youngs and youngsters Christian Wade and Joe Launchbury are also included.
England will play two warm up matches, against SA Barbarians South on June 13 and SA Barbarians North on June 19, before taking on the Springboks in three Tests on June 9, 16 and 23.
England squad
Forwards: Mouritz Botha (Saracens), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints), Carl Fearns (Bath Rugby), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Otago Highlanders), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Lee Mears (Bath Rugby), Ben Morgan (Scarlets), Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), George Robson (Harlequins), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Backs: Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers), Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins) Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), George Lowe (Harlequins), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), David Strettle (Saracens), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
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